![Page 1: Deep Dive with RoboHelp & Flareuaeurope.com/downloads/Deep_Dive_with_RoboHelp_and_Flare.pdf · snippets, and master pages ... SharePoint Explorer: share any files •Project Linking](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022042810/5f9c1b89b526223b7d603506/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Matthew Ellison
Deep Dive with RoboHelp & Flare
![Page 2: Deep Dive with RoboHelp & Flareuaeurope.com/downloads/Deep_Dive_with_RoboHelp_and_Flare.pdf · snippets, and master pages ... SharePoint Explorer: share any files •Project Linking](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022042810/5f9c1b89b526223b7d603506/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
Matthew Ellison
Consultant and trainer for User Assistance tools and technologies Technical Director of annual
UA Europe conference
![Page 3: Deep Dive with RoboHelp & Flareuaeurope.com/downloads/Deep_Dive_with_RoboHelp_and_Flare.pdf · snippets, and master pages ... SharePoint Explorer: share any files •Project Linking](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022042810/5f9c1b89b526223b7d603506/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
What we’ll cover in this session
What RoboHelp and Flare have in common Comparison of their user interfaces Content authoring and formatting The key distinguishing features of each
tool Future directions
![Page 4: Deep Dive with RoboHelp & Flareuaeurope.com/downloads/Deep_Dive_with_RoboHelp_and_Flare.pdf · snippets, and master pages ... SharePoint Explorer: share any files •Project Linking](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022042810/5f9c1b89b526223b7d603506/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Please note:
Current version of Flare is 12, released March 2016 Current version of RoboHelp is 2015,
released June 2015
![Page 5: Deep Dive with RoboHelp & Flareuaeurope.com/downloads/Deep_Dive_with_RoboHelp_and_Flare.pdf · snippets, and master pages ... SharePoint Explorer: share any files •Project Linking](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022042810/5f9c1b89b526223b7d603506/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
What RoboHelp and Flare have in common
Edit content as XHTML format using CSS Output to a range of formats including
responsive HTML5 Support for established Help features
(TOC, Index, Search, Glossary, keyword-based links, DHTM drop-downs) Range of single-sourcing features
(snippets, variables, conditional build tags, multi-channel publishing)
![Page 6: Deep Dive with RoboHelp & Flareuaeurope.com/downloads/Deep_Dive_with_RoboHelp_and_Flare.pdf · snippets, and master pages ... SharePoint Explorer: share any files •Project Linking](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022042810/5f9c1b89b526223b7d603506/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
RoboHelp user interface
![Page 7: Deep Dive with RoboHelp & Flareuaeurope.com/downloads/Deep_Dive_with_RoboHelp_and_Flare.pdf · snippets, and master pages ... SharePoint Explorer: share any files •Project Linking](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022042810/5f9c1b89b526223b7d603506/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
Flare user interface
![Page 8: Deep Dive with RoboHelp & Flareuaeurope.com/downloads/Deep_Dive_with_RoboHelp_and_Flare.pdf · snippets, and master pages ... SharePoint Explorer: share any files •Project Linking](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022042810/5f9c1b89b526223b7d603506/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
Content authoring and formatting
In general: RoboHelp shields you from the nasty
reality of HTML elements and CSS classes Flare enables you to exploit your
XML/XHTML and CSS knowledge
![Page 9: Deep Dive with RoboHelp & Flareuaeurope.com/downloads/Deep_Dive_with_RoboHelp_and_Flare.pdf · snippets, and master pages ... SharePoint Explorer: share any files •Project Linking](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022042810/5f9c1b89b526223b7d603506/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
RoboHelp CSS Editor
Friendly style names instead of
true XHTML elements
and classes
![Page 10: Deep Dive with RoboHelp & Flareuaeurope.com/downloads/Deep_Dive_with_RoboHelp_and_Flare.pdf · snippets, and master pages ... SharePoint Explorer: share any files •Project Linking](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022042810/5f9c1b89b526223b7d603506/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
Flare CSS Editor
XHTML elements
and classes
CSS properties
![Page 11: Deep Dive with RoboHelp & Flareuaeurope.com/downloads/Deep_Dive_with_RoboHelp_and_Flare.pdf · snippets, and master pages ... SharePoint Explorer: share any files •Project Linking](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022042810/5f9c1b89b526223b7d603506/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
Descendant (complex) selectors
One of my favourite CSS techniques Reduces the number of unique styles
you need Simplifies mark-up and saves time
![Page 12: Deep Dive with RoboHelp & Flareuaeurope.com/downloads/Deep_Dive_with_RoboHelp_and_Flare.pdf · snippets, and master pages ... SharePoint Explorer: share any files •Project Linking](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022042810/5f9c1b89b526223b7d603506/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
Example of descendant selector
1. Step text a. Sub-step text b. Sub-step text c. Sub-step text
2. Step text 3. Step text
<ol> <li>Step text</li> <ol> <li>Sub-step text</li> <li>Sub-step text</li> <li>Sub-step text</li> </ol> <li>Step text</li> <li>Step text</li> </ol>
ol ol {list-style-type: lower-alpha}
![Page 13: Deep Dive with RoboHelp & Flareuaeurope.com/downloads/Deep_Dive_with_RoboHelp_and_Flare.pdf · snippets, and master pages ... SharePoint Explorer: share any files •Project Linking](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022042810/5f9c1b89b526223b7d603506/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
Examples of other useful descendant selectors
ul ul { } ul ol { }
table p { }
li p { }
div.Note ul { }
ol ul { }
![Page 14: Deep Dive with RoboHelp & Flareuaeurope.com/downloads/Deep_Dive_with_RoboHelp_and_Flare.pdf · snippets, and master pages ... SharePoint Explorer: share any files •Project Linking](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022042810/5f9c1b89b526223b7d603506/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
Editing descendant selectors in Flare
Flare calls them “Complex Selectors”
![Page 15: Deep Dive with RoboHelp & Flareuaeurope.com/downloads/Deep_Dive_with_RoboHelp_and_Flare.pdf · snippets, and master pages ... SharePoint Explorer: share any files •Project Linking](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022042810/5f9c1b89b526223b7d603506/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
Adding descendant selectors in Flare
Open the style sheet in a text editor
![Page 16: Deep Dive with RoboHelp & Flareuaeurope.com/downloads/Deep_Dive_with_RoboHelp_and_Flare.pdf · snippets, and master pages ... SharePoint Explorer: share any files •Project Linking](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022042810/5f9c1b89b526223b7d603506/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
Descendant selectors in RoboHelp
No direct support Can open style sheet in text-based
Code Editor RoboHelp may change or remove your
code
![Page 17: Deep Dive with RoboHelp & Flareuaeurope.com/downloads/Deep_Dive_with_RoboHelp_and_Flare.pdf · snippets, and master pages ... SharePoint Explorer: share any files •Project Linking](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022042810/5f9c1b89b526223b7d603506/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
Options for collaborative authoring
RoboHelp • Resource Manager:
share style sheets, topics, images, snippets, and master pages
Flare • External Resources and
SharePoint Explorer: share any files
• Project Linking
![Page 18: Deep Dive with RoboHelp & Flareuaeurope.com/downloads/Deep_Dive_with_RoboHelp_and_Flare.pdf · snippets, and master pages ... SharePoint Explorer: share any files •Project Linking](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022042810/5f9c1b89b526223b7d603506/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
Project-based nature of RoboHelp/Flare
Content
• Topics • Images • Snippets • Style sheet
Project
• TOC • Skin • Glossary • etc.
SELF-CONTAINED
• Images
![Page 19: Deep Dive with RoboHelp & Flareuaeurope.com/downloads/Deep_Dive_with_RoboHelp_and_Flare.pdf · snippets, and master pages ... SharePoint Explorer: share any files •Project Linking](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022042810/5f9c1b89b526223b7d603506/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
Sharing files between projects
FLARE PROJECT
Files copied and synchronized
CENTRAL REPOSITORY
OF FILES A B C D
A B C D
FLARE PROJECT
FLARE PROJECT
FLARE PROJECT
A B C D
A B C D A B C D
![Page 20: Deep Dive with RoboHelp & Flareuaeurope.com/downloads/Deep_Dive_with_RoboHelp_and_Flare.pdf · snippets, and master pages ... SharePoint Explorer: share any files •Project Linking](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022042810/5f9c1b89b526223b7d603506/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
RoboHelp’s Resource Manager
Out of sync
In sync
Updated disabled
![Page 21: Deep Dive with RoboHelp & Flareuaeurope.com/downloads/Deep_Dive_with_RoboHelp_and_Flare.pdf · snippets, and master pages ... SharePoint Explorer: share any files •Project Linking](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022042810/5f9c1b89b526223b7d603506/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
Managing linked resources in RoboHelp
Use this to disable the updated of
linked resources
![Page 22: Deep Dive with RoboHelp & Flareuaeurope.com/downloads/Deep_Dive_with_RoboHelp_and_Flare.pdf · snippets, and master pages ... SharePoint Explorer: share any files •Project Linking](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022042810/5f9c1b89b526223b7d603506/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
Project linking in Flare
GLOBAL.flprj style.css
warning.flsnp logo.png
FLARE PROJECT
.flimpfl
Flare Project Import File
GLOBAL.flprj
*.css *.flsnp *.png
style.css warning.flsnp
logo.png
FLARE PROJECT
.flimpfl
FLARE PROJECT
.flimpfl
style.css warning.flsnp
logo.png
style.css warning.flsnp
logo.png
*
* *
*
![Page 23: Deep Dive with RoboHelp & Flareuaeurope.com/downloads/Deep_Dive_with_RoboHelp_and_Flare.pdf · snippets, and master pages ... SharePoint Explorer: share any files •Project Linking](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022042810/5f9c1b89b526223b7d603506/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
Setting up options for Source Project
Global project
Import everything…
…including linked files…
…except topics and targets
![Page 24: Deep Dive with RoboHelp & Flareuaeurope.com/downloads/Deep_Dive_with_RoboHelp_and_Flare.pdf · snippets, and master pages ... SharePoint Explorer: share any files •Project Linking](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022042810/5f9c1b89b526223b7d603506/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
Responsive web design
Design for an optimal viewing experience over a range of different device sizes and types As size of Viewport changes: • Images resize automatically • Column widths resize automatically
At specific Breakpoints: • Navigation controls change position
and/or presentation • Page elements change position or
disappear altogether
![Page 25: Deep Dive with RoboHelp & Flareuaeurope.com/downloads/Deep_Dive_with_RoboHelp_and_Flare.pdf · snippets, and master pages ... SharePoint Explorer: share any files •Project Linking](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022042810/5f9c1b89b526223b7d603506/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
RoboHelp’s responsive HTML5 output
Desktop layout
![Page 26: Deep Dive with RoboHelp & Flareuaeurope.com/downloads/Deep_Dive_with_RoboHelp_and_Flare.pdf · snippets, and master pages ... SharePoint Explorer: share any files •Project Linking](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022042810/5f9c1b89b526223b7d603506/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
RoboHelp’s responsive HTML5 output
Mobile layout
![Page 27: Deep Dive with RoboHelp & Flareuaeurope.com/downloads/Deep_Dive_with_RoboHelp_and_Flare.pdf · snippets, and master pages ... SharePoint Explorer: share any files •Project Linking](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022042810/5f9c1b89b526223b7d603506/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
RoboHelp’s responsive layout editor
Click to identify corresponding
property
![Page 28: Deep Dive with RoboHelp & Flareuaeurope.com/downloads/Deep_Dive_with_RoboHelp_and_Flare.pdf · snippets, and master pages ... SharePoint Explorer: share any files •Project Linking](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022042810/5f9c1b89b526223b7d603506/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
RoboHelp’s responsive HTML5 settings
No CSS coding required
![Page 29: Deep Dive with RoboHelp & Flareuaeurope.com/downloads/Deep_Dive_with_RoboHelp_and_Flare.pdf · snippets, and master pages ... SharePoint Explorer: share any files •Project Linking](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022042810/5f9c1b89b526223b7d603506/html5/thumbnails/29.jpg)
Media queries in RoboHelp
Make a Media Query available to your style sheet by
creating a Screen Profile
![Page 30: Deep Dive with RoboHelp & Flareuaeurope.com/downloads/Deep_Dive_with_RoboHelp_and_Flare.pdf · snippets, and master pages ... SharePoint Explorer: share any files •Project Linking](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022042810/5f9c1b89b526223b7d603506/html5/thumbnails/30.jpg)
Media queries in RoboHelp
![Page 31: Deep Dive with RoboHelp & Flareuaeurope.com/downloads/Deep_Dive_with_RoboHelp_and_Flare.pdf · snippets, and master pages ... SharePoint Explorer: share any files •Project Linking](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022042810/5f9c1b89b526223b7d603506/html5/thumbnails/31.jpg)
Flare’s responsive HTML5 output
Desktop layout
![Page 32: Deep Dive with RoboHelp & Flareuaeurope.com/downloads/Deep_Dive_with_RoboHelp_and_Flare.pdf · snippets, and master pages ... SharePoint Explorer: share any files •Project Linking](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022042810/5f9c1b89b526223b7d603506/html5/thumbnails/32.jpg)
Flare’s responsive HTML5 output
Mobile layout
![Page 33: Deep Dive with RoboHelp & Flareuaeurope.com/downloads/Deep_Dive_with_RoboHelp_and_Flare.pdf · snippets, and master pages ... SharePoint Explorer: share any files •Project Linking](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022042810/5f9c1b89b526223b7d603506/html5/thumbnails/33.jpg)
Enable responsive output in HTML5 skin
Breakpoints between different
Media types
![Page 34: Deep Dive with RoboHelp & Flareuaeurope.com/downloads/Deep_Dive_with_RoboHelp_and_Flare.pdf · snippets, and master pages ... SharePoint Explorer: share any files •Project Linking](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022042810/5f9c1b89b526223b7d603506/html5/thumbnails/34.jpg)
Editing HTML5 layout (Styles in skin)
Styles cascade: Web > Tablet > Mobile
![Page 35: Deep Dive with RoboHelp & Flareuaeurope.com/downloads/Deep_Dive_with_RoboHelp_and_Flare.pdf · snippets, and master pages ... SharePoint Explorer: share any files •Project Linking](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022042810/5f9c1b89b526223b7d603506/html5/thumbnails/35.jpg)
Media queries in Flare
Built-in support for Tablet and Mobile CSS media queries You can create your own custom
media queries using a dialog:
![Page 36: Deep Dive with RoboHelp & Flareuaeurope.com/downloads/Deep_Dive_with_RoboHelp_and_Flare.pdf · snippets, and master pages ... SharePoint Explorer: share any files •Project Linking](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022042810/5f9c1b89b526223b7d603506/html5/thumbnails/36.jpg)
New Responsive Layout in Flare
Required CSS can be created entirely using Flare’s UI Ideal if you need
specific layouts for particular devices or screen sizes Changes in Flare’s
Responsive Layout editor cause changes to style sheet
![Page 37: Deep Dive with RoboHelp & Flareuaeurope.com/downloads/Deep_Dive_with_RoboHelp_and_Flare.pdf · snippets, and master pages ... SharePoint Explorer: share any files •Project Linking](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022042810/5f9c1b89b526223b7d603506/html5/thumbnails/37.jpg)
Single-sourcing to print
RoboHelp • Use FrameMaker source, or • Publish to Word/PDF from
RoboHelp (some clean-up required)
Flare • Publish to PDF
![Page 38: Deep Dive with RoboHelp & Flareuaeurope.com/downloads/Deep_Dive_with_RoboHelp_and_Flare.pdf · snippets, and master pages ... SharePoint Explorer: share any files •Project Linking](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022042810/5f9c1b89b526223b7d603506/html5/thumbnails/38.jpg)
Configuring headers & footers
![Page 39: Deep Dive with RoboHelp & Flareuaeurope.com/downloads/Deep_Dive_with_RoboHelp_and_Flare.pdf · snippets, and master pages ... SharePoint Explorer: share any files •Project Linking](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022042810/5f9c1b89b526223b7d603506/html5/thumbnails/39.jpg)
Content
Topics
Images
Targets
TOCs
TOC determines content,
sequence, and hierarchy of print
output
Conditions
Master Page Skin Help Only:
Print Only: Page Layout
Glossaries Variables
Snippets
Adds breadcrumbs and mini-tocs
Size, position, and appearance of Help window
Paper size, margins, headers and footers
Style Sheet
HTML5
A Target pulls together a set of content (based on conditions) with a
specific combination of project files to
create a particular output
Flare’s Single-sourcing Workflow
![Page 40: Deep Dive with RoboHelp & Flareuaeurope.com/downloads/Deep_Dive_with_RoboHelp_and_Flare.pdf · snippets, and master pages ... SharePoint Explorer: share any files •Project Linking](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022042810/5f9c1b89b526223b7d603506/html5/thumbnails/40.jpg)
Distinguishing features of RoboHelp
FrameMaker integration (can be driven from FM) Captivate integration
(less significant) Adobe AIR Adaptive multiscreen publishing Dynamic Content Filters
![Page 41: Deep Dive with RoboHelp & Flareuaeurope.com/downloads/Deep_Dive_with_RoboHelp_and_Flare.pdf · snippets, and master pages ... SharePoint Explorer: share any files •Project Linking](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022042810/5f9c1b89b526223b7d603506/html5/thumbnails/41.jpg)
Dynamic Content Filters
![Page 42: Deep Dive with RoboHelp & Flareuaeurope.com/downloads/Deep_Dive_with_RoboHelp_and_Flare.pdf · snippets, and master pages ... SharePoint Explorer: share any files •Project Linking](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022042810/5f9c1b89b526223b7d603506/html5/thumbnails/42.jpg)
Distinguishing features of Flare
Single-sourcing to all output formats MadCap Capture integration
Project linking
Top Navigation skin
![Page 43: Deep Dive with RoboHelp & Flareuaeurope.com/downloads/Deep_Dive_with_RoboHelp_and_Flare.pdf · snippets, and master pages ... SharePoint Explorer: share any files •Project Linking](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022042810/5f9c1b89b526223b7d603506/html5/thumbnails/43.jpg)
Flare’s top navigation skin
![Page 44: Deep Dive with RoboHelp & Flareuaeurope.com/downloads/Deep_Dive_with_RoboHelp_and_Flare.pdf · snippets, and master pages ... SharePoint Explorer: share any files •Project Linking](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022042810/5f9c1b89b526223b7d603506/html5/thumbnails/44.jpg)
Criteria for choosing RoboHelp or Flare
Initial set-up of styles and project infrastructure Ongoing authoring experience Required workflow for print publishing Preferred end-user experience for
responsive HTML5 Miscellaneous special features
![Page 45: Deep Dive with RoboHelp & Flareuaeurope.com/downloads/Deep_Dive_with_RoboHelp_and_Flare.pdf · snippets, and master pages ... SharePoint Explorer: share any files •Project Linking](https://reader034.vdocuments.net/reader034/viewer/2022042810/5f9c1b89b526223b7d603506/html5/thumbnails/45.jpg)
Future directions
Enhanced search • Filtering • Faceted search
New layout and presentation
paradigms for HTML5 output • Better SEO • Better mobile support • RIP trip-pane window